Children | Special Needs Essentials Blog

It’s not uncommon to find parents who’ve decided to save their unborn child’s gender as a surprise, so don’t be surprised yourself when you’re invited to baby shower requiring gender-neutral gifts. These days, it’s relatively simple to find baby essentials in shades of yellow and green, but we’ve made it even easier by identifying these six gender-neutral gifts that would be perfect for your loved one’s imminent surprise.

1. Gray onesie

Nothing says neutral like the color gray, and we love the way this witty little gray onesie implies that both the baby and the gender were “worth the wait.” Besides Etsy, we’ve also discovered a bunch of clever, gender-neutral onesies at your local Target — so stop in there if you need a gift stat.

2. Bath toy

Turn bath time into a party with a fun toy like this floating octopus. This little guy lights up, so the baby’s senses will be stimulated during play. What better way to also introduce the baby to one of the most fascinating creatures from the sea?

3. Blanket

Speaking of creatures, this turtle-shaped weighted blanket is perfect for all babies, but particularly ones with autism, sensory processing disorder, sleep disorders, anxiety, ADHD, hyperactivity, and more. Because it’s weighted, the pressure provides a sense of calm and is the next best thing to a comforting embrace.

4. Bibs

Don’t forget to keep it clean when it’s time to eat! These adorable elephant bibs off Etsy are organically made, plus they’re super soft and absorbent.

5. Scarf

We couldn’t help ourselves in falling for this amazing elephant bib/scarf, too:

6. Mobile

Not only is this a cute gender-neutral mobile perfect for helping a little one drift into dreamland, it also doubles as a great piece of baby shower decor. It’s from Etsy, too, so the remarkable mobile is handmade from premium stock paper and can be customized if you prefer a different set of colors.

Mornings can be chaotic regardless of the circumstance. Between preparing schoolbags, making breakfast, actually getting through breakfast, packing lunches, walking the dogs, and trying to find your kid’s other shoe so you can leave the house already, morning mayhem is part of everyone’s routine! Being the parent of a special needs child adds an entirely different element of preparation to the day. But with a little planning, mornings could be a more seamless operation. Mother and daughter under blanket - Special Needs Essentials

1. Get Good Sleep

First and foremost, getting a good night’s sleep is paramount in shaping the next morning for success. It’s important to get on a consistent sleep-and-wake schedule, and stick to it. Try making your child’s room as dark as possible to help ensure a full night’s rest. Weighted blankets can help, too.

2. Develop A Ritual

Believe it or not, all children love rituals. But when your family has special needs, the discipline of a routine is essential. Make your mornings an orderly endeavor: do the same things in the same order every day, beginning when the alarm clock first rings. Time Timer clocks can help your child understand this routine better, in a visual way.

3. Promote Your Child’s Independence

Your child’s independence is the key, as it will save you more time for other tasks. Breakfast is an opportunity to help arm your child with more independence, which is achievable by using adapted tools at the table. Breakfast not only gives your kids the strength to face the day, but it also adds a great step to your daily ritual that your child can count on and even look forward to. Try these five products, all designed to promote your child’s independence in the morning.

1. Safety toothbrush